UUDISED

GOOD PROJECT EXAMPLE: Creation of Innovative Multi-species Long-term Pasture Grass Mix for the Fattening of Bovine Cattle with Big Intramuscular Fat Content

The problem to be solved

The quality of pastures is one of the most important aspects of grass-fed bovine animal farming for the production of good quality beef. In Estonia, the knowledge of silage production for winter feed is based on available research and practice and is mostly at good level thanks to the need for meeting the feed requirements for the dairy cattle. However, maintenance of pastures, composing of grass mixes and rotational grazing have not received the necessary attention. In addition to meeting the energy and protein nutritional requirements of beef cattle, the aim of the cluster is to take into consideration the environmental objectives. This means that it is necessary to think about improving the state of the soil as well as enhancing the welfare and abundance of accompanying species, particularly natural pollinators. In order to reduce carbon emissions, the pasture sward is planned as long-term as possible. It is also important to follow the compatibility between species and the development of strong and permanent surface crust in the longer term.

The objective of the project is to develop a pasture grass mix suitable to Estonian conditions and to different types of soils. The fact that in some regions, certain species may disappear and be replaced by other species of slower growth, has been taken into consideration in the composition of the grass mix. 

Airi Külvet, NGO Liivimaa Lihaveis		Grazing residue of the pasture after a portion has been grazed.

 “The maintenance of pastures (mowing after grazing, harrowing) and the use of different paddocks for grazing contributes to significant improvement in the quality of the grass in autumn. In addition, experienced beef animal producers tend to use areas where silage is made in spring or hay in summer as pastures in autumn.” Airi Külvet, a board member of NGO Liivimaa Lihaveis

Project outcomes

Grasslands were established in different regions in Estonia. Silage was produced in the first year of the establishment of the grassland; grazing tests have almost been completed. All farms have got instructions for ensuring a similar grazing load and sufficient rest period between grazing rotations. The portions were prepared with the plan of leaving the beef cattle to graze for 24-36 hours in one site. As a result, an undergrowth of 5 cm would be left. Within the whole
period, the research partners monitored the yield of test portions for each grazing rotation. In addition, the state of the soil was monitored before the grazing period and at the end of the grazing period. Tests will continue up to the end of the grazing period in 2021.

The results at the end of the first testing year were very positive both in terms of the growth of the beef cattle, as well as the persistence and regeneration of the grassland. In order to give recommendations to the whole Estonian beef production sector, with regard to the use of the pasture grass mix, it is necessary to continue the grazing tests in 2021. Recommendations about the livestock load can be adjusted according to need. The persistence of the varieties of the pasture grass mix can be assessed and certain species or varieties can be added or replaced.